HomeNewsPreparing for Dementia Awareness Week – a positive work experience

Preparing for Dementia Awareness Week – a positive work experience

30/05/2018

Social service Dementia Champion, Cheryl Henderson tells us how five school pupils on a work experience placement at Cluny Lodge care home, Edinburgh found working in a care home for older adults.

‘Firrhill High School approached our care home to find out if we could accommodate work experience placements for five S3 pupils.

‘We are so glad they did!

‘The pupil’s interest and enthusiasm was encouraging for us and the residents enjoyed seeing some new, young faces. One of the ladies taught one pupil how to crochet, while the other pupils helped residents prepare decorations for the royal wedding as well as joining in exercise classes and singing group.

‘The pupils said they gained a lot from the placement, including a much greater understanding of the aging process and dementia. They used what they had learned to deliver a presentation to the school.

‘Some of our favourite quotes from their presentation were:

“Homes for the elderly are not scary and can be fun.”

“Dementia doesn’t define the person.”

“People LIVE with dementia not SUFFER with dementia.”

‘They also designed a poster for us to use to promote Dementia Awareness Week.

‘They were supervised by a teacher from Firrhill but the ideas and execution were all their own, displaying some of their many talents.

Careers in social services

If you’re looking for a career which makes a positive difference, then a job in social services is for you. There are opportunities to progress, have an important role in supporting others and get a sense of personal achievement from knowing you are helping other people.

You could be thinking about what you want to do when you leave school or college, considering changing your career or returning to work. There’s a great demand for social service workers from providing practical help and support to keeping adults who use services or children safe. It’s a career for people who like people.

Watch this video where Ambassadors for Careers in Care talk about their experiences of engaging with young people, who often have great values and bring a new energy to workplaces.